A viral Facebook post has sparked outrage online after a family accused the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) of failing to provide sufficient coverage during a newborn’s emergency hospitalization, blaming its controversial “24-hour rule.”
In a post by netizen Cris Daday Cahilig, she recounted how her newborn nephew, born on February 22, was discharged on February 26, only to be rushed the same day to the Pediatric ICU of another hospital. Despite consistently paying contributions for over two decades, Cahilig said her brother-in-law’s PhilHealth coverage was barely of help.
“My brother-in-law’s PhilHealth paid only 5k+ to the first hospital which charged him 27k,” she wrote. “And guess what, the second hospital said no more PhilHealth credit for him since the hospitalization hasn’t reached the 24 hours rule to be covered again.”
PhilHealth’s policy states that patients must wait at least 24 hours between hospital admissions for the same illness to be eligible for a new set of benefits. This left the family facing a mounting hospital bill of ₱70,000, with no additional help from PhilHealth.
“My brother-in-law has been paying PhilHealth since 2004, that’s 21 years of funds and has updated payment shares. Whoever is behind this rule is simply greedy and heartless,” Cahilig added.
Netizens call for reforms
Many online expressed solidarity with the family, with some urging the government to abolish the mandatory nature of PhilHealth contributions.
“Paki tanggal sa mandatory so we can divert our funds to insurances,” commented Brazil Orias. “Kalas kalas lang,” referring to how contributions seem to go to waste.
Others questioned the value of continuing PhilHealth payments.
“Also 5k from the 27k? Sana nilagay na lang ang perang pang-PhilHealth to an actual working HMO. Hays,” said Val Amiel Vestil, suggesting private health insurance would have been a better investment.
In defense of PhilHealth, one commenter pointed out the limits of its coverage.
“PhilHealth is an insurance, it only covers a certain portion, and it’s meant to be used in public hospitals. Its coverage is limited in private hospitals,” wrote Justin Kon. “I think you have to be admitted in the hospital for at least 24 hours to be able to claim a certain amount.”
